Anna's Princess Storytime

Jake scanned the shelves of books, trying to find one he had not read yet. He rolled his eyes as he heard Amelia and Brittany giggling. This was a library! They were supposed to be quiet, but he could hear them like halfway across the building! Feeling some sort of fraternal need to take control, he left the row he was in, knocking a sign off of the shelf. He bent over to pick it up. It was a schedule of the children's events the library offered over the summer. Puppet shows, storytime with a princess, magicians? it all sounded so dumb! He rolled his eyes.

"I see Paris, I see France, I see Jakey's underpants!" Amelia teased. Jake shot back up, putting the sign back on the shelf.

"Shuddup."

"Maybe Jake likes showing off his tighty whities. I've seen them like a thousand times." Brittany said, smirking at Jake. "Remember Halloween?"

"How could I forget?"

"He still gushes about it!" Amelia exclaimed.

"Shh, why are you talking so loud? It's a library."

"Maybe we want the librarian to come over." Brittany said.

"I bet Mrs. Harper would love to hear about last Halloween. Or Christmas." Jake glared at the girls. Why did they always bring it up? His dad's voice echoed in his ears. Amelia only teased him to get a reaction. It was so hard to not react though! Little sisters were so good at being the most annoying things on the planet!

"Just leave me alone."

"We came over to tell you we're gonna run across the street to the mall. Jen's there."

"What? But mom said she'll"

"Pick us up at 2. It's not even noon yet. We'll be back in plenty of time." Jake could not believe his ears.

"But"

"Don't worry." Brittany said. "We've thought of everything." Everything? Jake knew enough, even without the constant reminders, that that was not a good thing to hear from his sister and her scheming friends.

"What are you talking about?" He fought to keep his voice from trembling. The girls smirked.

"Come on, Jake. There's something I want to show you." Amelia said. Jake sighed. Could he make a run for it? He knew that there was little hope. Resigned to his fate, he followed the girls. Once their guard was down, maybe he could give them the slip.

“Seriously, Amelia. This isn’t gonna work.”

“Jake, Jake, Jake.” She said with a smirk. “Don’t you think I have it all figured out?”

“What does that mean though?”

“Well, we both know mom wanted us to stay here in the library so I can keep an eye on you.” Jake tried to stop himself from blushing. He was older than Amelia!

“She’s right.” Brittany said. “She’s done more babysitting than you, hasn’t she?”

“I’m older.”

“Yeah, thirteen is so much older than ten and a half.” Amelia rolled her eyes. “Thirteen in boy years is like what in girl years? Six?”

“I’d say Anna of Everdale is about six.” Brittany teased, pinching Jake’s arm.

“I am not” The girls exchanged a look.

“She’s getting fussy.”

“Well, it’s because she’s overheating in those shorts and that ugly black t-shirt.” Amelia replied knowingly. “She’d much prefer to be wearing a pretty dress. Isn’t that right, Anna?”

“No way.”

“See? You answer to it, so it must be your name, right?” Jake’s glower could not have been more severe, but Amelia always thought it made him look like he needed to poop. She smirked and patted his cheek, knowing that that would only infuriate him further. When he got mad, he never thought straight, and that was just what she needed.

“We’re here, Anna. We better hurry. It’s quarter to noon.”

“What happens at noon?” He felt dumb for even asking. It made it sound like he was letting the girls take control! He looked at the women’s restroom sign and groaned even before the girls worked together to shove him inside.

“Here’s the deal, Anna.” Amelia said, finally whispering as her voice echoed in the empty bathroom. “We’re going to the mall and you’re staying here.”

“You’re gonna be at Princess Storytime!”

“It runs from noon to one-thirty, so that’ll give us plenty of time to get back here and get you disguised as a gross boy again.”

“You’re insane.”

“Nope.” Amelia said with a smirk. “We both agreed that Princess Storytime would be less embarrassing for you than traipsing around the mall with us big girls.”

“I’m not doing it!”

“Sure you are.”Brittany replied.

“It’s either that or” Amelia shrugged. “Face it, Jake. We’ve done this how many times now? You know and we know that you’re ending up in what I’ve got here in my bag.” she shrugged to show off her backpack. Jake groaned. He never should have believed her when she said she was bringing it to hold the books she was getting.

“And it’s not even anything that bad.” Brittany said. “Your Christmas dress was”

“It wasn’t my”

“Don’t interrupt.” Amelia scolded. “All we have for you is a sundress, panties, and some sandals since” she glanced down at his grubby sneakers. “Those aren’t very ladylike.”

“At least his feet are small.”

“So, what do you say, Jake? Go in that stall and get dressed or do we have to force you again?” There were only two of them, so Jake wondered if maybe he could overpower them. He knew that Amelia would play the ‘Jake hit me’ card if he fought back though.

“Why can’t I come to the mall with you?” He asked. “Or even just stay here and read?”

“Princess Sparkle whatever will read to you.” Amelia said.

“Sparkleshine.”

“That’s not important right now, Britt! Geez.”

“This doesn’t make any sense.” Jake groaned.

“What doesn’t make sense, Jakey?” Amelia asked. “It’s just a few hours to keep you out of trouble. Really, like an hour and a half. That’s only ninety minutes.”

“Seriously. I am not a little girl!”

“Here’s the deal, Jake.” Brittany said. “Either you get undressed and into your outfit for storytime or we’ll force you into it.”

“And if we have to do that, no guarantee your boy clothes survive the experience.” Amelia said. “Just imagine what mom would say if she picked us up and you were dressed like sweet as sugar Anna, my little sister-cousin-whatever you are as Anna.”

“Seriously. Do you really think I can pass as”

“Jake, you’ve done it twice before and both times required you to do a lot more than sit quietly.” Amelia said. “This’ll be easy for you.”

“It’d be a lot easier to just sit and read or something.” He muttered.

“Alright, enough. Brittany, take his shorts off.”

“What? No!” Jake tried to push Brittany away, but she quickly had him cornered and down came his shorts. Jake tugged his shirt down, but knew the battle was lost. “Fine.” He said through gritted teeth.

“It’s really not that bad. Just a sundress, panties, and sandals.” Amelia said, handing the bag to him.

“The panties are only necessary because we can’t trust you to sit ladylike.” Brittany said. “I think the kids sit on the floor or something.”

“This is ridiculous.” Jake disappeared into the stall. He considered barricading himself in there but the girls would be more than capable of sliding under and punishing him.

“All you have to do is sit quietly, Jake. The clothes are only because it’d be weird for a thirteen year old boy to be there.”

“Which I will be.”

“Naw, everyone will see a pretty little girl. Just like at Christmas.”

“What did he ever do with that doll anyway?” Jake gritted his teeth and tried to block out the girls. He groaned as he saw Cinderella’s smiling face looking up at him from the panties Brittany and Amelia expected him to wear.

“Did you see we got you blue panties? For a boy?”

“Shuddup.”

“Just get dressed, Jake.” Amelia said, tapping the stall door impatiently. “We need to get to the mall.”

“And you need to get to Princess Storytime!”

“It’d be making a scene if you got there late.” Amelia said, her voice almost eager. “Imagine everyone staring at you, having to wonder if any of them realize you’re actually a boy twice the age you claim to be.”

“I don’t claim” Jake closed his mouth. No. He was not going to play their game.

“Well, you’re gonna be implying it.” Brittany said. “You’re gonna have to introduce yourself as little Anna.”

“And hold up six fingers.”

“I’m not six.”

“You’re wearing Cinderella panties.” Amelia retorted.

“And have you seen your sundress? It’s pretty little girly.”

“Great.” Jake muttered. He pulled it out and sighed. At least it was not pink, but it was a definitely feminine shade of yellow that almost hurt his eyes.

“See? Polka dots!” The dress was undeniably polka dotted from top to bottom. The top part reminded Jake of the tank tops he wore to the lake, but from the waist with its enormous yellow bow down, it was girly and not the sort of thing he wanted to wear. Still, said a small nagging part of his mind, it’s better than the other dresses they’ve made me wear and it’s better than a diaper. Was a dress and panties better than a diaper? He was not even sure.

“Blue panties and a yellow dress? What were we thinking?” Amelia mused.

“Just means Anna will have to sit ladylike.” Brittany smirked.

“Can you stop saying that?” Jake asked irritably. “God, why am I doing this?” He asked himself as he slipped off his socks and pulled on the white jelly sandals.

The girls grinned as he emerged from the stall, but they did not say anything for once.

"There's no way this is going to work." Jake muttered as he stared at his sissified reflection.

"You almost sound disappointed." His sister teased. "Does someone like being Anna?"

"No fu" Jake stopped himself. "No way."

"Don't think I didn't hear that. Do I need to tell mom you're swearing again?" Jake remained silent, not even meeting Amelia's gaze. "It'd be fun to blackmail you about it, but really" she laughed. "How could things get any worse for you than they are now, Anna?" He glared at her. "Go on, say your name's Anna. They’ll ask where you’re going."

"My name's Anna."

"On the plus side, your voice is still high enough that no one should notice you're not a little girl." Brittany said, giggling. "As long as you don't say too much. Just be a shy, demure, sweet little girl."

"This is ridiculous." His eyes widened as he saw his sister stuffing his clothes into her backpack.

"Just to make sure you don't try to sneak away from Princess Storytime."

"Like that's even possible." Brittany said. "My mom brought my little sister Cassie here and the adults are very controlling of the kids."

"There you go, Anna. You'll have no choice but to sit there and listen to all the fun stories Princess Sparkleshine reads to you. Isn't that fun?" Jake did not answer.

“Your hair’s a bit longer than at Christmas, I think.” Brittany said. “But just to be safe, let’s put those barrettes in your bangs.” She took a couple of white plastic bow barrettes from Amelia. “See? Sparkly.” Jake groaned as she clipped them into his hair.

“Looks like you’re all set.” Amelia said. “Now remember to smooth out your skirt before you sit down and try to keep your knees together so that no one can see up your dress, kay?” Why was she talking to him like he knew all this?

“You’re gonna do fine.” Brittany said.

“As long as you’re a good little girl, Anna, we’ll be back in plenty of time to turn you back in Jake, okie dokie?” Jake sighed as Brittany grabbed his hand, practically erupting with excitement over getting to take the teen to a little kid storytime.

“Seriously,” she whispered to him. “I’ll give you fifty dollars if anyone even notices you’re a boy, kay?”

“You don’t have fifty dollars.”

“Sure I do. My grandma sends me that much for my birthday every year.” Jake squeezed her hand.

“Deal.”

“But you can’t tell anyone you’re a boy. They have to figure it out for themselves.” Jake nodded, confident that someone would notice.

“Here we are.” Amelia said, leading them to the children’s nook.

Kids were running around, eagerly chatting. Jake saw more than a few little girls in princess dresses and he almost felt comfortable in his relatively less girly sundress, but then he saw all the boys. He could have totally come here as a boy, he thought bitterly. Amelia and Brittany deposited him in a plastic chair, guaranteeing he was right in the middle of the group and could not hide in the back.

“Alright, Anna. You sit right here for story time and we’ll be back to pick you up at 1:30, okay?” Amelia said loudly. “You be a good girl, okay?” Jake, mortified, could only nod. To his surprise, his sister kissed his cheek before they left him to story time.

As Jake sat there, knees held tightly together, heart pounding in his chest, he tried not to draw attention to himself. He eyed Princess Sparkleshine's dress, grateful that he did not have to wear something so floofy and girly. He reminded himself that Princess Sparkleshine was both a girl and willingly wearing the dress, unlike him.

Jake quickly realized that Princess Storytime was not the passive experience that Amelia and Brittany had led him to believe. Sure, there was a story or two, but Princess Sparkleshine also had songs for them to sing and dance to. Sitting in the middle, Jake hoped he could simply hide in his chair, but the adults who were serving as the princess's helpers did not allow that. One of the helpers sensed a shy little girl and stayed next to him until he did all the gestures to Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes to her liking. Even then, she kept a close eye on him to make sure he was participating. How can this get any worse, he thought as he finally sat back down for the last story of the day. He rolled his eyes as Princess Sparkleshine encouraged 'all the boys and girls of the kingdom' to make animal noises whenever she read the name of one, but he made sure to at least half-heartedly participate to keep the helpers at bay.

"Alrighty-doo boys and girls!" Princess Sparkleshine said in her musical voice. "We're almost out of time for today, so let's just sing two more songs. But which songs shall we sing?" A cacophony of suggestions washed over her. "I know, let's sing the boys and girls song! Helpers, can you help the boys get on this side of the room, and the girls on that side?"

Everyone jumped eagerly to their feet and moved to the side of the room Princess Sparkleshine had indicated, the helpers making sure to herd the stragglers. Out of habit, Jake began to move to the boy side, but he saw their confusion and, blushing, quickly rushed to the girl side.

"I see some new faces here, so we'll go over the words. Boys, you'll start." Princess Sparkleshine smiled down at the boys. "You'll sing look at me, look at me. I'm a little boy, I'm a little boy. I sing and dance, I jump and clap. I'm a little boy, I'm a little boy." Jake's ears burned with embarrassment, even before Princess Sparkleshine came over to the girls. "And girls, you'll do look at me, look at me, I'm a little girl." Jake felt as if he might faint, but quickly came to his senses. It was just one song. It would not really make him a girl, would it? All the same, he felt as if he left his body as he went through the motions like an automaton, jumping and clapping there in that group of girls. "Very good, boys and girls!" Princess Sparkleshine praised. "Now, everyone back to your seats for the goodbye song!"

The goodbye song required everyone to stay standing as they sang the most repetitive song Jake had ever heard. All the same, with the helpers watching, he had no choice but to wave and clap and stamp his feet along with all the other kids. It was only as they reached the very end and Princess Sparkleshine was congratulating them on a splendiferous storytime that he saw Amelia and Brittany standing nearby, grinning as they watched him. How much had they seen?

Ever cautious, he waited until they were away from the crowd before demanding answers. Brittany shrugged.

“That goodbye song was awful. I’m amazed you didn’t like go crazy.”

“And you were even singing and dancing along.” Amelia sounded genuinely surprised.

“The helpers” Jake blushed. “The helpers made me.”

“Oh?” The girls said in unison. Jake nodded.

“There were like ten different songs and they didn’t let me sit there. I had to” the girls giggled, a little too much for his liking. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing.” They said, their unison unnerving this time.

“Did you like the story at least?”

“There was more than one.” Jake said. “Can I have my clothes back?”

“Not yet.” Amelia said, grinning.

“Are you gonna tell him?” Brittany asked. Amelia smirked.

“Well, it would be hard to keep it”

“Tell me what?” Jake demanded.

“Don’t interrupt.” Amelia scolded. “I guess I can tell you. But it’s something to tell Anna, not Jake. Are you Anna or Jake?”

“Anna.” Jake said with a sigh.

“And how old are you, Anna?”

“Six.” Jake, remembering what they had said earlier, held up six fingers, hoping it would score him some relief. The girls grinned. Brittany seemed about to burst as she jumped in.

“I’d ask if you’re a boy or a girl, but” Jake’s blood ran cold. “We have it on video!” Brittany held up her phone where she had recorded Jake singing along with the boys and girls song.

“Delete that!” Jake demanded.

“I will.” Brittany said. “As long as Anna promises to go to just one more Princess Storytime before the end of the summer.”

“They’re every week, but we’ll only make you do one more.” Amelia said. Jake sighed, feeling trapped.

“Fine. I’ll go to one more.”

“Promise?” Brittany held up her phone to get it on video.

“I promise.” Jake rolled his eyes as Brittany made sure to get his whole outfit in the frame. “I promise to go to one more Princess Storytime.” The girls squealed, relinquishing Amelia’s bag to him. He had to push aside the makeup and other things she had bought at the mall, but there were his clothes, safe and sound. He quickly stripped to dress, but his blood ran cold again as he overheard the girls chatting outside the stall.

“Of course, we’ll have to find Anna an extra special dress for the next one.” Amelia said. “She was criminally underdressed compared to some of those other girls.” Just what had he gotten himself into?